Program: Social Analysis (Kannada)
Place: Indian Social Institute, Bengaluru
Dates: 15-19 November 2023
Resource Person(s) with Phone Number, E-mail ID, etc:
Fr Francis Balaraj SJ, Mob: 9449128633 <francisbsj@gmail.com>
Fr Anthony Dass SJ, Mob: 9741473913 <isisuperior.blr@gmail.com>
Ms Manu Chaudhri, Mob: 8971561183
Ms Diana, Mob: 9986926103
Critical Thinking is key for Social Consciousness
About 23 NGO Animators across Karnataka (13 female & 10 male) went through a week-long Social Analysis Course and developed a critical understanding of the society in order to respond in a constructive manner to be agents of social change. The participants with their grass roots experience were effectively able to analyse the issues and root causes of the vulnerable communities i.e, dalit, adivasis, minorities, unorganised youth, transgenders from socio-economic, cultural and political perspectives. Knowledge development among these enthusiastic social workers has resulted in the increase of their commitment, passion and love for the people they are serving. Ms Jaya, animator of Loyola Vikasa Kendra, Hangal expressed, a sense of hope and courage to fight against the discrimination and inequality in society. She says, “I am deeply pained to see the worse situation of migrant labourers in Karnataka. I want to organise unorganised migrant labourers where I work, educate them on their rights and help them access their entitlements”.
The participants gathered knowledge on the provisions for uplifting the marginalised communities in enshrined in the Constitution. The participants were inspired and motivated by the great social reformers from the vulnerable communities: Ambedkar, Jyothiba Phule, Savithribai Phule and others to contribute to the empowerment of the poor. Sujatha C, animator of SICHREM, NGO said, “For me, girl child education is a top priority. I want to commit myself to the education of dalit girl children”.
According to the participants, the urgent social problems faced by the people are substance, abuse, illiteracy and superstitious beliefs as many are engaging with rural people. Another animator from SICHREM, Ms Meenakshi Talwar believes that lack of political will has resulted in the inequality of poor children in education. She wants to serve the dalit and other marginalised children and educate them. Fakkiresh Goudalli, animator from Loyola Vikasa Kendra, Hangal expressed, “I have advanced my knowledge on legal rights of the vulnerable communities and now I want to ensure proper social protection to them”.
Overall, the course provided opportunities to the participants to share their knowledge and experiences from the ground level and learn to analyse and critically understand them. Finally, the goal is to lead the people towards social change.